The Theater Will Rock: A History of the Rock Musical, from Hair to Hedwig

by Elizabeth L. Wollman

The tumultuous decade of the 1960s in America gave birth to many new ideas and forms of expression, among them the rock musical. An unlikely offspring of the performing arts, the rock musical appeared when two highly distinctive and American art forms joined onstage in New York City. The Theater Will Rock explores the history of the rock musical, which has since evolved to become one of the most important cultural influences on American musical theater and a major cultural export. Packed with candid commentary by members of New York's vibrant theater community, The Theater Will Rock traces the rock musical's evolution over nearly fifty years, in popular productions such as Hair , The Who's Tommy , Jesus Christ Superstar , The Rocky Horror Picture Show , Little Shop of Horrors , Rent , and Mamma Mia! ---and in notable flops such as The Capeman . "A much-needed study of the impact of rock music on the musical theater and its resulting challenges, complexities, failures, and successes. Anyone interested in Broadway will learn a great deal from this book."
---William Everett, author of The A Research Guide to Musical Theatre "This well-written account puts the highs and lows of producing staged rock musicals in New York City into perspective and is well worth reading for the depth of insight it provides."
--- Studies in Musical Theatre
Elizabeth L. Wollman is Assistant Professor of Music at Baruch College, City University of New York.

Genres: Nonfiction, Music, Theatre

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Elizabeth Lara Wollman

Reviews

[Liz Wollman]

I have learned, from writing this, that there's not a terribly big market for books about rock musicals. It was fun, though. Sort of.

[Nichola · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read several books now about musical theater history, but it still hadn't really occurred to me that rock music is not a good match for the format, for many reasons. This book looks specifically at the history of trying to meld the two worlds and the big high and low points that creators found along the way. I really wish I could see some of the spectacular failures they talk about, as creative risks are always that, a risk, and even successes are not always easily explained.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a musical theater nerd, always obsessed with the shows that somehow pushed the boundaries, I had so much fun reading this book.

[Greg Kerestan · Rating 4 out of 5]

You'd be surprised how hard it is to find quality, reputable nonfiction on musical theatre, given the recent rise in both scholarly and public interest in the topic. Elizabeth Wollman's books may tend a little more towards fluff than serious analysis, but since the field is so small, her books are some of the best on the market. This book covers the convergence of theatre and rock music, which have cooperated in fits and starts over the last fifty years.

[Nicola · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, perfect for any rock musical fans like myself. As well as information about various musicals there is also some interesting behind the scenes stories and a look at theatre production. Well worth the money, delighted to have it as an addition to my musical theatre books collection!